Location: Iga
Top Restaurants in Iga
Top 10 Japanese food in Iga, Mie Prefecture, Japan
Discover Restaurants offering the best Japanese food in Iga, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Iga is a city located in central Kii Peninsula, in the mountainous western Mie Prefecture, Japan.
As of September 2012, the city has an estimated population of 95,137 and a population density of 170 persons per km². The total area is 558.15 km².
Things to do in Iga
10. Wakaba
9. Kyo Ibuki Iga Ueno
About 15 minutes from JR Kansai Line Iga Ueno Station About 15 minutes from Iga Railway Ueno City Station 1,301m from Hirokoji Station
8. Sushidokoro Moriguchi
7. Udonya Ikezawayu
Reviewed By dimsumcafe
I was wandering around the streets of Iga Ueno contemplating where to have lunch, consulting the tourism office's "gourmet mapt" (a list and map of restaurants/eateries, complete with pictures of their most popular dish(es). The gourmet map is available in many languages and folds neatly into wallet size for easy carrying - maybe to keep with the Ninja tradition? :)) The name of one particular noodle dish caught my eye. "霧隱", translated as "Hidden (in the) Mist" udon noodles. The name was rather fitting for the city that prides itself in its historical affiliation with the ninjas, and hence got me interested.It was still early so I walked by the store, and read the menu outside. The deciding factor was their use of the local milk and black rice in the udon (there were enough Chinese characters to help me figure out what the menu said), as I try to eat locally and support restaurants that use local products as much as possible. It was a few minutes before lunch service, but the store had already hung the short curtain outside (signaling they were open), so I walked in (could have waited a few more minutes outside but I was hungry and the fragrance of a deliciously rich broth coming from the restaurant was just too much to bear).The lady owner cheerfully greeted me, and upon learning I did not speak Japanese, slowed down/simplified her speech and used gestures to help me. Ordering wasn't a problem because I knew which dish I wanted (I pointed to the picture on the gourmet map). She called out the order to the kitchen, and later when the male owner appeared, introduced me to him and asked him to show me the store - and he did (in English)! There were real samurai helmets, swords, and ninja armors on display, and he even allowed me to try the helmet (really heavy! Can't imagine having to ride a horse or walk while wearing it let alone be in combat!). He also showed me the ninja contraptions in one area of the store and explained their significance. I had no idea how long I waited for the udon because I was entertained with all these stories and artifacts the whole time.The udon: with a name like "hidden (in the) mist", I expected perhaps a cloudy milk-based broth. But oh how that name was misleading! It was no mist! This was serious traffic-stopping dense fog advisory level creaminess! I love chowder and this was like having a huge bowl of really smooth, creamy and flavorful chowder with thick al-dente udon noodles (which I also love) that is speckled grey from the black rice added. It wasn't just a pretty poetic name to tie an ordinary noodle dish to the local ninja history. This dish was a star on its own, and the name served to enhance its characters!While enjoying this luxuriously creamy udon dish in a simple, wooden-tabled local eatery setting, I also met and chat briefly (with my very broken Japanese) with the daughter, who worked as a ninja at the ninja museum, and is now very active in the community (turn on the community channel and you see her introducing the upcoming events and activities).It was a very satisfying experience, both in terms of the food and the overall dining experience. The place was local and _proudly_ local.Before I left the lady owner asked what my plans were for the day in town. Since I had done the "tourist" sites the previous day, she suggested that I visit a nearby long-time local tea shop and see the ninja cat (and I did). This genuine warm hospitality towards travelers and the sense of pride of the town still makes me smile for a long time afterwards. If I have one regret from this experience, it is knowing that having or recreating this dish after leaving Iga is impossible. But that's ok. It gives me more reason to go back. (NOTE: They only serve lunch, until 2 pm, and are not open on Wednesdays)
6. Ueno Miyabi
Reviewed By sunuka
伊賀牛を使用したメニューが沢山ありました。席は広々としていて、奥には、個室もあり、ゆったりと食事が出来ます。今回は、数量限定の伊賀牛のひつまぶしを頂きましたが、熱々のお出汁をかけて頂くスタイルで、とても美味しかったです。伊賀の味が楽しめる朝食が頂けて良かったです。
5. Matsunoya
4. Nikaku Shokudo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By shininbaby
伊賀上野城から駅の方へ向かい線路を渡った上野市駅駐車場の目の前にある食堂。一見、味のある古い食堂ですが回転扉の仕掛けや忍者メニューが楽しめる店でした。at first glance, just a old japanese restaurant. but you'll be surprised, the NINJA style, the door of entrance is tricked. and they have many FOOD menu of NINJA. menu list is written japanese and english.
3. Kanaya
Overall Ratings
4 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By LaTinoco
We were VERY fortunate to come here. A good friend of mine is from Iga and she took us there and her parents were generous enough to treat us to this restaurant. It was pricey. For five people, it cost 38,200 yen, and I was inclined to offer them my firstborn child in return.We are full blown Westerners and this was such a unique and special experience for us. When you walk in, you take off your shoes and put on their slippers. They walk you to your personal tatami room where you leave the slippers at the door. Then your own personal chef comes in and cooks your meal for you! It was amazing!!After eating fish for a week, I can't tell you how delicious the sukiyaki was! Everything there was from Iga from the decadent marbled beef to the plump mushrooms and fresh cabbage. We dipped it in raw egg which added a level of flavor I didn't expect. It was such a superb dining experience and one that I wasn't quite worthy to have. If you are going to Iga, try to budget for this restaurant. You won't regret it!
2. Dengakuzawakaya
Overall Ratings
4 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By malsol
This Restaurant is the famous as "Japanese traditional&casual Vagetarian cooked "in Igaueno town. their menu has A course=1550yen(20 pick baked Tofu+boiled rice+seasonal local vegetable pickles+Miso soup+mashed soy beans cooked+deep boiled vegetable) ///B course=990yen(20pick baked Tofu+Boiled rice+Miso soup+seasonal local vesitable pickles)///3240Yen DX course. If you need more spicy,you can ask to give "Japanese chill pepper".all dishes are very tasty&Healthy.you can tray here!(!:They can not speak English,Please try to a little bit of Japanese)
1. Kyo Ibuki Iga Ueno
About 15 minutes from JR Kansai Line Iga Ueno Station About 15 minutes from Iga Railway Ueno City Station 1,301m from Hirokoji Station
